If your cat has tummy issues after eating certain foods, they may have a sensitive stomach. This can be caused by food allergies, intolerances, sensitivities to certain ingredients, eating foods that are hard to digest, or by eating low-quality food.
The good news is that there are commercial cat foods available for cats with sensitive stomachs or other gastrointestinal issues, but we recommend talking to your vet if your cat has been showing signs of these conditions. Your vet can advise whether a treatment plan is necessary and can recommend you suitable foods for your cat’s specific condition. In some cases, certain foods can only be purchased with vet approval.
In the meantime, here are our reviews of some of the best cat foods for diarrhea in Canada to give you an idea of what might help with your cat’s tummy troubles.
Our best overall cat food for diarrhea is Purina One’s Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula. Containing no artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers, this formula is specifically designed for cats with sensitive digestive systems. The first ingredient is real turkey, and prebiotic fiber is added to aid digestion. The protein content is 34%, which is pretty high.
There are plenty of glowing reviews for this product, with some sharing how this product has helped manage and clear up issues like vomiting and diarrhea. It seems to be pretty popular taste-wise, too. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for every cat, according to reviews. Some users weren’t happy with the condition the product came in, describing the texture as “powdery.”
Pros
Made with real turkey
High in protein
Designed for cats with sensitivities
Lots of great reviews
Cons
Might not work for every cat
May be powdery
2. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Cat Food – Best Value
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal
Protein content:
32% min
Fat content:
16% min
Calories:
3,773 kcal/kg, 422 kcal/cup
Our best cat food for diarrhea for the money pick goes to Blue Buffalo’s Sensitive Stomach recipe. The first ingredient is deboned chicken and other ingredients include brown rice and a variety of fruits and veggies for an antioxidant boost. LifeSource Bits—which are a blend of nutrients and antioxidants—are also added. The protein content is 32%.
User reviews are largely positive for Blue Buffalo’s Sensitive Stomach Formula, with many reporting excellent results for cats prone to tummy upsets. Those who weren’t pleased with the product cited too-small kibble pieces and said they felt disappointed that it didn’t work for their cat.
Not every product will work well for every cat, though, which is why it’s important to check with your vet if your cat has consistent stomach issues.
Hill’s Science Diet’s Sensitive Stomach formula is a vet-recommended recipe designed to support healthy digestion and skin in sensitive kitties. Chicken and brewer’s rice make up the two main ingredients among other natural ingredients and the formula is infused with prebiotic fiber to help keep things moving through the digestive tract.
The formula has proven very popular with users for the most part, with positive reviews indicating superior quality and happy cats in many cases. Others found it too expensive and some were disappointed that their cats didn’t take to it. As with any product, though, there’s no guarantee every cat will enjoy it!
For kittens that tend to naturally be a bit more sensitive due to still being in the developmental phase, you’ll want to go with a trusted, high-quality brand like Hill’s Science Diet to minimize the risk of an upset stomach. This formula is designed to support all areas of your kitten’s health, and users have reported that the pieces are appropriately-sized and easy for kittens to chew and digest.
You can pair this formula with Hill’s Science wet kitten food for a bit of variety and to add extra moisture to your kitten’s dinner. Some kittens weren’t keen on this formula and preferred other brands, but reviews have been mostly positive.
Salmon, brown rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain oats
Protein content:
29% min
Fat content:
14% min
Calories:
469 kcal/ 8 oz. cup
Another Hill’s Science Diet formula for our vet’s choice! The Perfect Digestion formula contains real salmon as the main ingredient and ActivBiome technology, which is a blend of prebiotics, pumpkin, and whole-grain oats to contribute to better stool quality. The protein content is 29% and the fat content is 14%.
According to user reviews, feeding this formula has resulted in positive changes for cats with a history of diarrhea and vomiting. Negative reviews mostly point to some cats not enjoying it, but this is pretty standard when trying out new foods.
This Sensitive Digestion formula by Royal Canin is designed to support healthy digestion in cats with sensitive stomachs, especially those with a tendency to regurgitate their food. It contains a special blend of nutrients and prebiotics to help keep the digestive tract in check and reduce the production of soft stools. At 33%, the protein level is high.
A large proportion of reviewers consider this a great formula for cats that suffer from an upset stomach due to the positive changes they have noticed, and some have reported that the kibble size is just right. That said, quite a few users commented that their cats seemed to throw up more after eating this product.
Purina Pro Plan’s Sensitive Skin & Stomach formula is made with lamb as the first ingredient and oatmeal and rice for easier digestion. It’s also fortified with live probiotics and omega-6 fatty acids to help keep the skin and coat in good condition while supporting healthy digestion. The protein level is particularly high at 40%.
Some reviewers have mentioned that their cats improved both skin and digestion-wise after eating this formula, with reduced shedding and diarrhea as two of the top benefits. Some users, on the other hand, found that it just didn’t work out with their cats and some were unhappy with the price.
If your sensitive cat is more of a wet food fan, this might be the formula for them! Also known as the “Blissful Belly” recipe, it helps keep the digestive system as it should be and contributes to better stool quality. Meanwhile, vitamins E and C support the immune system and a variety of vitamins and minerals take care of your cat’s overall health.
Some customers were not happy with the price of this wet food and expressed disappointment at a recent price increase. Those that were happy with it mentioned that it has played a part in helping their cats recover from gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
Water Sufficient For Processing, Pork By-Products, Chicken, Chicken Liver
Protein content:
7.5% min
Fat content:
2.0%
Calories:
774 kcal/kg, 112 kcal/5.1-oz can
Another wet food option, Royal Canin’s Digest Sensitive recipe supports all aspects of digestive health—from contributing towards healthier bowel movements to supporting weight management. It can be fed on its own or in conjunction with Royal Canin dry food if you want to offer a bit of variety.
Some customers had issues with the texture, mentioning that the product wasn’t as “saucy” as advertised and that it seemed more like jelly. On the other hand, many left positive reviews saying that the texture was fine and that they have had a great experience feeding this to fluffy friends with sensitive stomachs.
Pros
Supports digestive health
May help with weight management
Lots of positive reviews
Cons
Possible texture issues
10. IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin
This Sensitive Digestion and Skin formula by IAMS takes our final spot on this occasion. With real turkey as the main ingredient, a fiber blend with beet pulp and prebiotics, and no fillers, this product may be beneficial to cats suffering from skin and digestive issues. It’s also vet-recommended, which adds an extra layer of reassurance.
According to reviews, some customers highly recommend this food for the value factor, reduction of vomiting and other digestive issues, and how well the flavor goes down with fluffy connoisseurs. Other cats were less keen, and some refused to eat it at all. That said, a large percentage of reviews have been positive in nature.
Pros
Contains a fiber blend
Supports healthy digestion
Supports skin and coat health
Mostly positive reviews
Cons
Might not work for every cat
Some cats may not like the flavor
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea in Canada
With so many cat food options on the market, knowing where to start can be a challenge. There are a few factors you can consider to narrow down your choices, though. Most importantly, you’ll need to ascertain whether your cat is just a tad sensitive or if they have an underlying health issue that needs addressing.
It’s always best to talk to your vet about digestive issues to make sure your kitty isn’t missing out on important treatment. It’s also the best way to find out which food to get them, as your vet can recommend a suitable formula.
Some vendors require veterinary approval before they will sell you a certain cat food—like a prescription diet—so if you’re purchasing one of these, make sure you have a signed approval or prescription from your vet to show.
You’ll also want to factor in how much you’re willing to spend. As we’ve seen, some brands are a bit less easy on the wallet, so setting a budget can help you narrow down products within a certain range. Your cat’s preferences are also a big factor—some cats are finicky and will only eat certain proteins or brands.
The best way to get an idea of whether a product would be suitable is to check user reviews across a variety of sites. You’re likely to read reviews from people in a similar situation, which is invaluable when you have no idea what brand to go for.
Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented various furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with animals, Kit can be found doodling in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea....Read more
